Data processor, data processing method and control program

ABSTRACT

A printer  301  as a peripheral device notifies a proxy response server  200  connectable to a LAN  101  during transition to a sleep mode from a normal data processing wait state of sleep transition request. After the proxy response server  200  receives a sleep mode transition request, and when the proxy response server  200  receives a sleep release request from any client PC  100  in which a proxy response server  200  is connected to a LAN  101,  a sleep mode is released at a sleep release request from the proxy response server  200.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a peripheral device capable ofperforming communications using a predetermined protocol over a network,a server device, a client device, a network device system, a devicesearching method, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program,and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

There has conventionally been the well-known technology of a networkdevice system such as a service providing apparatus in which aperipheral device (including a copier, a composite machine, a facsimile,a digital camera, a scanner, etc.) is connected to a computer over anetwork, a service providing system, etc.

For example, with remarkable progress of the communications through theInternet, network-capable equipment has been widely and quickly realizedin various equipment including the conventional personal computers, userinteractive devices such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a mobiletelephone, etc., image processing devices such as a scanner, a printer,a copying machine, a digital camera, etc., various domestic electricappliances such as television, an airconditioner, a refrigerator, etc.

In this situation, to enhance the convenience and easiness in usingthese network-capable devices, various protocols such as automaticsetting means for a network address, search and discovery means for anetwork device, automatic setup means for application software, utilitysoftware, an operating system, etc. for control of a network-capabledevice has been proposed. For example, they include UPnP (registeredtrademark) mainly developed by Microsoft, BMLinkS (registered trademark)developed by JBMIA (Japan Business Machine Industry Association),Rendezvous (registered trademark) supported by AppleOSX, etc.

On the other hand, various improving means have been applied to reducethe power consumption by these network-capable devices from the energysavings viewpoint. The power consumption of a device driven by a smallbattery such as a PDA, a mobile telephone, etc. is to be reduced for along-time use. The reduced power consumption is an important factor ofthe diffusion of products such as a printer, a copying machine, athermal fixer, etc. which normally record large power consumption.

Normally, when these devices are not operated for a predeterminedperiod, or kept in an idle status without performing communications withother devices for a predetermined period, then change into a sleep mode.In the sleep mode, electric power is supplied only to a one-chipmicrocomputer, a LAN controller, etc. which are low voltage devices,other than the printer controller of FIG. 1 thereby maintaining theminimal communications capabilities with the power consumption reducedby stopping supply of unnecessary power.

In releasing the sleep mode, these devices monitor a packet having aspecific data format, and when they receive the packet having a specificdata format, the sleep mode is released and the normal communicationsprocess can be resumed.

Especially, with a raising awareness of earth environmental protectionand cost in office and home, there is an increasing demand for moreeffective power saving systems.

In the above-mentioned UPnP (registered trademark)(UniversalPlugandPlay), a method for detecting a power saving deviceusing a StandbyQuery instruction is disclosed. However, the destinationof a Query packet is not disclosed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, for example, in the device search packet of the conventionalUPnP (registered trademark) and WSD, etc., it is necessary for a devicein a sleep or power saving status to wake up (be activated) and return aresponse to an inquiry from a host computer regardless of the status ofa device. Therefore, although the device is equipped with a power savingmode, it does not practically work, and the energy savings effect cannotbe sufficiently obtained.

Additionally, for example, with UPnP (registered trademark)(UniversalPlugandPlay), a method for detecting a power saving deviceusing a StandbyQuery instruction is presented. However, in this method,the condition of waking up the Query using an old-fashioned devicecannot be flexibly set, or a request for power saving capability cannotbe supported for a device incapable of setting the condition.

That is, each time StandbyQuery is received, a device is to return aresponse, and it is almost impossible to enter a power saving status.

The present invention has been developed to solve at least one of theabove-mentioned problems. The first aspect of the present invention isto provide a power saving peripheral device capable of setting aperipheral device environment, a device searching method, acomputer-readable storage medium storing a program, and a program foruse with a peripheral device capable of communicating with a pluralityof client devices connected over a network in which a sleep transitionrequest is issued to a proxy response server which can be connected overa network when a normal data processing wait status is changed into asleep mode, after the proxy response server accepts a sleep modetransition request and when the proxy response server accepts a networkpacket indicating a sleep release request from any client deviceconnected over a network packet, the sleep mode is released and a dataprocessing wait status is regained, thereby maintaining the power savingstatus without returning a response to a normal printer search request,and after the sleep mode is entered, the sleep mode is released and thedata processing wait status can be freely regained at an instructionfrom a proxy response server applicable to the search request from theclient device connected over a network.

Other features and advantageous of the present invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the networkdevice system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explanation of the configuration of theprinter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an example of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the sixth data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of a memory map of the storage mediumstoring various data processing programs readable by a network devicesystem according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the networkdevice system according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention, and, corresponds to an example in which, for example, aclient device (client PC) 100 is configured such that it can communicatewith a proxy (proxy response server (server device)) 200, a peripheraldevice, for example, printers 301 and 302 through an LAN 101. For easyexplanation, a printer device (printer) 400 is connected to the LAN 101,but a plurality of printers can also be connected.

Described below is an example in which a device changes a condition(timing) to return from the response to a multicast packet for detectionof power saving mode device and power saving (sleep) mode between thecases where a proxy response server exists and where it does not exist.

In FIG. 1, the printers 301 and 302 are operated by the power suppliedto the print controller described later and the print engine includingthe status management unit (not shown in the attached drawings) of theprint controller.

The client PC 100 and the proxy response server (proxyserver) 200 areconnected to the printers 301 and 302 over a local area network (LAN101) such as the Ethernet (registered trademark), etc., and areconfigured such that they can transmit a print job to the printers 301and 302 using a predetermined protocol and perform various remotecontrol such as the status of the printers.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explanation of the configuration of theprinter 301 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a power supply control unit 301-3 for controlling the powersupply from the power supply not shown in the attached drawings to eachunit of the printer 301. The power supply control unit 301-3 is providedwith two systems of power supply line. One of the systems is an allnight power line (all night power line 301-3-L1 shown in FIG. 2)connected to a LAN controller, and the other is a saving power line(saving power line 301-3-L2) connected to a printer controller 30-1 anda print engine unit 301-2. When the printer 301 enters the wait statefor a predetermined period and is instructed by a CPU 301-1-1 of theprinter controller 301-1 to change into the power saving mode, the powersupply from the saving power line 301-3-L2 is stopped, and only the LANcontroller 301-1-5 connected to the all night power line 301-3-L1 andthe printer 301 become operable.

For example, the LAN controller 301-1-5 can be supported by theMagicPacket (registered trademark) technology of Advanced Micro Devices,Inc. (AMD company), etc., and when it receives a packet containing aspecific data pattern stored and set in the LAN controller 301-1-5 fromthe LAN 101 in advance, it instructs the power supply control unit 301-3to resume the supply to the saving power line 301-3-L2 to return theprinter 301 to the normal status.

Thus, power supply for all night power line 301-3-L1 always is providedmay not be cut off. On the other hand, power supply for saving powerline 301-3-L2 is cut off when the printer is in the power saving mode.

With the system configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the configuration ofthe printer 301 shown in FIG. 2, the operations of the printer 301returning from the power saving status to the normal status at a requestfrom the client PC 100 are explained below by referring to the flowchartshown in FIG. 3 and the examples of the network device status shown inFIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention, and corresponds to the control procedure up to thetransmission of print job data from the client PC 100 shown in FIG. 1 tothe printer connected to the LAN 101, and corresponds to the operationprocedure of the CPU based on the program stored in the ROM (not shownin the attached drawings) of the client PC 100 or other storage media.S101 to S109 indicate the steps of the process.

FIGS. 4 to 7 are explanatory views of examples of the first networkdevice status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1. Thecomponents also shown in FIG. 1 are assigned the same referencenumerals.

First, when a request to process a print job which is a preferredexample of the data processing is received from a user (operator) of theclient PC 100, a search request packet is transmitted to a multicastaddress (for example, 239. 255. 255. 250) for search of a printerconnected in the LAN 101 (S101). The system device status at this timecorresponds to the example shown in FIG. 4. When the client PC 100 isconnected before the printer 301 enters the sleep status (power savingmode) in the LAN 101, the search request packet is transmitted to themulticast address (for example, 239. 255. 255. 250). The connection ofthe printer 301 to the LAN 101 by broken lines in FIG. 4 indicates thatthe printer 301 is currently in the sleep/offline status.

Then, the presence/absence of a response from any device in the networkwhich has received the search request packet transmitted in step S101 isdetermined (S102). If it is determined that there is a response, thedevice status information in the response packet is determined as towhether of not there is a device returning the power saving mode (sleepmode) (S103).

As explained above by referring to the conventional technology, thedevice (the printer 301 according to the present embodiment) in thepower saving mode does not return a response to the search requestpacket as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the device which returns the powersaving status (in the sleep mode) is the proxy response server 200, orthe printer 302 in the job wait status.

In FIG. 5, the proxy response server 200 responds to the client PC 100according to the procedure 2-1 shown in FIG. 5, and the active printer302 responds according to the procedure 2-2 shown in FIG. 5. The jobwait status in the present embodiment corresponds to the data processingwait status in another peripheral device.

If it is determined that there is no response to the search requestpacket or from the proxy response server 200, then a search requestpacket is transmitted again from the client PC 100 to the LAN 101 at themulticast address (for example, 239. 255. 255. BBB) for power savingmode (in the sleep mode) as shown in FIG. 6 (S104) and then step S105follows.

If it is determined in step S103 that there is a response, then a uniquedevice is selected at an instruction from the user (operator) in theclient PC 100 from the devices which have returned a response to thediscovery request (S105), and it is determined whether or not the statusof the selected device is the power saving mode (sleep mode) (S106).

When the device in the power saving mode is selected, a returninstruction packet to return to the normal status is transmitted to thesource address of the response packet as indicated by the procedure <3>shown in FIG. 7 (S107), and the release of the power saving mode of theselected device (reception of a release notification) is awaited (S108).

When the power saving mode is released, or when it is determined in stepS106 that the status of the selected device is not the power savingmode, a print job is transmitted to the selected device (S109), and theprocess terminates.

In FIG. 7, after the procedure <3>, the proxy response server 200performs the procedure <4> of deleting the proxy response registrationinformation, and the procedure <5> of transferring a return instructionto the printer 301.

Then, the printer 301 returns to the active status from the sleepstatus, and performs on the printer 301 the procedure <6> of returning acorresponding response to the return command.

In FIG. 7, in the reply to the multicast address (for example, 239. 255.255. BBB), since the printer 302 in the active status does not relate toa response phase it does not excessively presses the traffic in the LAN101 in the response phase.

The control of the printer 301 up to its transition to the power savingmode (sleep mode) is explained below by referring to the flowchart shownin FIG. 8 and an example of the network device status shown in FIGS. 9to 14.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention, corresponds to the control procedure used when the printer301 changes to the power saving mode (sleep mode), and shows theoperation procedure of the CPU based on the program stored in the ROM ofthe printer 301 shown in FIG. 2 or another storage medium not shown inthe attached drawings. S301 to S305 indicate the respective steps of theprocess.

FIGS. 9 to 14 are explanatory views showing examples of the firstnetwork device status in the network device system shown in FIG. 1, andthe components also shown in FIG. 1 are assigned the same referencenumerals.

First, when the printer 301 passes the wait state for a predeterminedperiod, the printer 301 transmits over the LAN 101 a search requestpacket to a multicast address (addresses of specific devices, forexample, “AAA. BBB. CCC. DDD” as shown in FIG. 9) for discovery of aproxy response server requested to register for proxy response of theprinter 301 during the power saving status (sleep mode) of the printer301 (S301).

When it is determined whether or not there is a proxy response server(for example, the proxy response server 200) which has returned aresponse to the search request packet (S302), and if it is determinedthat there is a proxy response server, then the proxy responseinformation is registered (registering procedure <3> shown in FIG. 9)for the proxy response server 200 (S303). If the registration completionnotification in the procedure <4> is received from the proxy responseserver 200 as shown in FIG. 10, then the power saving status is entered(S305) as shown in FIG. 11, and the process terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that there is noresponse from the proxy response server from the proxy response serverto the search request packet, and if there is no proxy response server200 in the network as shown in FIG. 12, then the procedure <1> oftransmitting an advertisement packet indicating the transition to thepower saving status shown in FIG. 13 to the multicast address (forexample, 239. 255. 255. 250) is performed and a transition is made tothe power saving status (S305) as shown in FIG. 14, thereby terminatingthe process. The broken lines shown in 14 indicate that the printer 301is in the sleep status.

The control of the transition of the printer 301 to the data processingwait status (sleep mode) is explained below by referring to theflowchart shown in FIG. 15 and an example of the network device statusshown in FIGS. 9 to 14.

FIGS. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention, and corresponds to the control procedure used when theprinter 301 responds to the search request packet transmitted from theclient PC 100. S401 to S408 indicate the steps of the process.Especially, steps S401 to S406 correspond to the operation procedure ofthe LAN controller 301-1-5 based on the program stored in the ROM of theprinter 301 shown in FIG. 2 or in another storage medium not shown inthe attached drawings, and steps S407 and S408 correspond to theoperation procedure of the CPU 301-1-1 based on the program stored inthe ROM of the printer 301 shown in FIG. 2 or in another storage mediumnot shown in the attached drawings.

First, when the LAN controller 301-1-5 shown in FIG. 2 receives a searchrequest packet (for example, the normal discovery and statusconfirmation packet shown in FIG. 4) transmitted from the client PC 100(S401), the current printer status is determined (S402). If it isdetermined that is in the power saving status, then the LAN controller301-1-5 determines whether or not the destination address of thereceived search request packet is a multicast address (for example, 239.255. 255. 250) for power saving mode device discovery (S403).

If the LAN controller 301-1-5 determines that it is a multicast addressfor power saving mode device discovery, it further determines whether ornot the proxy response has been registered in the proxy response server(ProxyServer) 200 explained by referring to FIG. 8 (S404). If it has notbeen registered in the proxy response server 200, then a notification ofthe release of the power saving status is issued to the printercontroller (S405). If the printer controller 301-1 has returned from thepower saving status, a response packet containing the printer statusinformation about the printer controller is returned to the client PC100 (S406), thereby terminating the process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S402 that the currentprinter status is not the power saving status, then it is determined(S407) whether or not it is the multicast address (for example, 239.255. 255. 250) for normal (not for power saving status) devicediscovery. If it is the multicast address for a normal device discovery,then a response packet containing the printer status information isreturned to the client PC 100 (S408), thereby terminating the process.

The process of the printer 301 receiving a power saving status returnrequest packet is explained below by referring to the flowchart shown inFIG. 16.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention, and corresponds to the control procedure performed when theprinter 301 receives a power saving status regain request packet. S501to S504 indicate the steps of the process. Especially, steps S501 toS502 correspond to the operation procedure of the LAN controller 301-1-5based on the program stored in the ROM of the printer 301 shown in FIG.2 or in another storage medium not shown in the attached drawings, andsteps S504 correspond to the operation procedure of the CPU 301-1-1based on the program stored in the ROM of the printer 301 shown in FIG.2 or in another storage medium not shown in the attached drawings.

First, when the LAN controller 301-1-5 shown in FIG. 2 receives a powersaving status regain request packet (S501), the current printer statusis determined (S502). If it is recognized as the power saving status,then a notification of the release of the power saving status is issuedto the printer controller 301-1 (S503). If the printer controller 301-1is returned from the power saving status, it returns a response packetcontaining printer status information to the client PC 100 (S504),thereby terminating the process.

If it is determined in step S502 that the current printer status is notthe power saving status, then a response packet containing the printerstatus information is returned, thereby terminating the process.

The proxy response control of the power saving status device in theproxy response server 200 is explained below by referring to theflowchart shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention, and corresponds to the proxy response control procedure ofthe power saving status device in the proxy response server 200. S601 toS603 indicate the steps of the process, and each step corresponds to theoperation procedure of the CPU based on the program stored in the ROM inthe proxy response server 200 not shown in the attached drawings or onother storage media.

First, when a multicast addressed search request packet transmitted fromthe client PC 100 is received (S601), the CPU in the proxy responseserver 200 determines whether or not there is a proxy responseregistered printer (S602). If it is determined that there is a proxyresponse registered device, a printer status information proxy responseof returning the status information about the proxy response registeredprinter is performed on the client PC 100 as shown in FIG. 5 accordingto the proxy response information from the printer 301 explained byreferring to FIG. 9 (S603), thereby terminating the process.

The process of receiving a power saving status regain request packet fora proxy response registered device in the proxy response server 200 isexplained below by referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processingprocedure in the network device system according to the presentinvention, and corresponds to the control procedure performed when theproxy response server 200 receives the power saving status regainrequest packet for the proxy response registered device, and correspondsto the operation procedure of the CPU based on the program stored in theROM not shown in the attached drawings in the proxy response server 200or in other storage media. S701 to S705 indicate the respective steps ofthe process.

When a power saving status regain request packet transmitted from the isreceived (S701), the CPU of the proxy response server 200 determineswhether or not there is a proxy response registered printer (S702). Ifit is determined that there is a proxy response registered device, thenthe CPU of the proxy response server 200 further determines whether ornot there is a proxy response printer having the name matching thedevice name specified in the received power saving status regain requestpacket (S703). If it is determined that there is the matching printer,the proxy response registration information is deleted as shown in theprocedure <4> shown in FIG. 7 (S704), the received power saving statusregain request packet is transferred to the printer 301 as shown in theprocedure <5> shown in FIG. 7 (S705), thereby terminating the process.

Afterwards, the printer 301 transfers the return command to the clientPC 100 as shown in the procedure <6> shown in FIG. 7, releases the sleepmode, and changes into the Active/Ready status, that is, in the job waitstatus.

Thus, since the destination (multicast address) of the device searchpacket in the normal status (Active/Ready status) is separate from thedestination (multicast address) of a device search packet in the powersaving status, after the printer 301 enters the sleep mode (power savingmode) in a network, the client PC newly connected to the networktransmits a search request packet again to a unique network address((for example, 239. 255. 255. BBB in the present embodiment), recognizesthe printer 301 normally not recognized after receiving a response fromthe proxy response server 200, and a normal job process request can beissued to the printer 301.

Furthermore, the destination of a packet containing the StandbyQueryinstruction (search request for a sleeping device) can be separate froma normal Query (search request) so that only a necessary device can bewoken up.

Second Embodiment

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a unique (for example, 239.255. 255. BBB) is used as a return address, but the address assigned tothe BBB can be managed by the proxy response server 200 so that aprinter in the sleep mode can be woken up to perform specific capabilityprocessing in response to various print job requests from the client PC,for example, the presence/absence of an optional equipment, the printingspeed, and the printing system.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the cable network system isexplained, but the present invention can be applied to a wirelessnetwork (a network in accordance with the Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) specifications). At this time, when the system according tothe present invention is generated using a PDA, a mobile telephone, etc.as a communications processor in accordance with the Bluetoothspecifications as a service providing device, various portable andwireless communications tool, for example, a further effective systemcan be generated.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, after a WakeUP is received from theproxy response server 200, the printer 301 releases the sleep mode, butanother mode can be set so that the sleep mode can be entered againafter terminating the job.

The configuration of the data processing program which can be read on anetwork device system according to the present invention is describedbelow by referring to the memory map shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 shows the memory map of the storage medium storing a dataprocessing program which can be read on the network device systemaccording to the present invention.

Although not shown in the attached drawings, the information formanagement of a program group stored in the storage medium, for example,version information, an author, etc. are also stored, and theinformation depending on the program reading OS, etc., for example, anicon for identification of a program and display can also be stored.

Furthermore, the data depending on various programs is managed in theabove-mentioned directory. The program for installing various programsinto a computer, and a program to be installed are compressed, a programfor decompressing the programs can also be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 3, 8, 15, 16, 17 and 18 according to thepresent embodiments can be performed by the host computer usingexternally installed programs. In this case, using a storage medium suchas CD-ROM, flash memory, an FD, etc., or an external storage mediumthrough a network, an information group including programs can beprovided for an output device according to the present invention.

As described above, the objective of the present invention can also beattained by supplying the storage medium storing a program code ofsoftware for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodimentsfor a system or a device, and reading and executing by the computer (orthe CPU or MPU) of the system or the device the program code stored inthe storage medium.

In this case, the program code read from the storage medium realizes anew function of the present invention, and the storage medium storingthe program code dan configured the present invention.

The storage medium for supplying a program code can be, for example, aflexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,CD-ROM, CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM,etc.

Furthermore, by executing the program code read by the computer, notonly the above-mentioned functions can be realized, but also thefunctions according to the above-mentioned embodiments can be realizedin the process performed by the OS (operating system), etc., whichoperates in the computer, performing all or a part of the actual processat an instruction of the program code.

Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case where theprogram code read from the storage medium is written into a memoryprovided in a feature expansion board inserted into or a featureexpansion unit connected to the computer, and then the CPU, etc.provided in the feature expansion board or the feature expansion unitperforms all or a part of the actual process based on instructions ofthe program code, whereby the function of the embodiments is realized.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments,but variations (including the organic combinations according to eachembodiment) can be generated based on the gist of the present inventionwithin the scope of the present invention.

1. A peripheral device which can communicate with a plurality of clientdevices connected to a network, comprising: notification means fornotifying a proxy response server connectable to the network of a sleepmode transition request when the peripheral device changes from a normaldata processing wait status to a sleep mode; reception means receiving asleep release request from the proxy response server based on a networkpacket indicating a peripheral device discovery request for a peripheraldevice which is changing to a predetermined sleep mode issued by anyclient device connected to the network after the proxy response serverreceives the sleep mode transition request from the peripheral device;and control means for releasing the sleep mode and returning to a dataprocessing wait status when said reception means receives the sleeprelease request.
 2. The peripheral device according to claim 1, whereinthe network packet which is the peripheral device discovery request is asearch request packet for a multicast address set as a predeterminednetwork address for a plurality of peripheral devices.
 3. The peripheraldevice according to claim 1, wherein the multicast address is a uniquelydetermined address, and can be determined based on a peripheral deviceenvironment, and wherein a multicast address for a peripheral devicediscovery request in a sleep status can be different from a multicastaddress of a peripheral device discovery request in a normal status. 4.The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the search requestpacket includes a StandbyQuery instruction indicating a discoveryrequest to a sleeping device.
 5. A server device proxy for a peripheraldevice which can communicate with a plurality of client devicesconnected to a network, comprising: registration means for receiving andregistering a sleep transition request announced from a peripheraldevice in the network when the peripheral device changes from a normaldata processing wait status to a sleep mode; discovery means forretrieving a peripheral device in a sleep status depending on a networkpacket indicating a specific peripheral device discovery request fordiscovery of a sleeping peripheral device issued from any client deviceconnected to the network after registration by said registration means;and notification means for notifying a sleeping peripheral device whosesleep release request has been registered for release of a sleep mode toa peripheral device retrieved by said discovery means.
 6. The serverdevice according to claim 5, wherein the network packet which is theperipheral device discovery request is a search request packet for amulticast address set as a predetermined network address for a pluralityof peripheral devices.
 7. The server device according to claim 5,wherein the multicast address is a uniquely determined address, and canbe determined based on a peripheral device environment, and wherein amulticast address for a peripheral device discovery request in a sleepstatus can be different from a multicast address of a peripheral devicediscovery request in a normal status.
 8. The server device according toclaim 5, wherein the search request packet includes a StandbyQueryinstruction indicating a discovery request to a sleeping device.
 9. Aclient device which can communicate with a plurality of peripheraldevices or server devices connected over a network, comprising: issuemeans for issuing a network packet indicating a specific peripheraldevice discovery request for discovery of a peripheral device duringtransition to sleep status based on a response result from a network fora request to retrieve a peripheral device in a normal status; receptionmeans for receiving a return response from any peripheral devicenotified of a sleep release request by said server device after theperipheral device discovery request has issued by said issue means; anddata processing means for transmitting a predetermined data processingrequest to a specific peripheral device whose sleep mode has beenreleased after said reception means has received the return response.10. The client device according to claim 9, wherein the network packetwhich is the peripheral device discovery request is a search requestpacket for a multicast address set as a predetermined network addressfor a plurality of peripheral devices.
 11. The client device accordingto claim 10, wherein the multicast address is a uniquely determinedaddress, and can be determined based on a peripheral device environment,and wherein a multicast address for a peripheral device discoveryrequest in a sleep status can be different from a multicast address of aperipheral device discovery request in a normal status.
 12. The clientdevice according to claim 10, wherein the search request packet includesa StandbyQuery instruction indicating a discovery request to a sleepingdevice.
 13. A network device system in which a plurality of peripheraldevices connected over a network can communicate with a plurality ofclient devices capable of recognizing a connection status of aperipheral device in a data processing wait status in the network,wherein said peripheral device comprises: notification means fornotifying a proxy response server connectable to the network of a sleepmode transition request when the peripheral device changes from a normaldata processing wait status to a sleep mode; reception means receiving asleep release request from the proxy response server based on a networkpacket indicating a peripheral device discovery request for a peripheraldevice which is changing to a predetermined sleep mode issued by anyclient device connected to the network after the proxy response serverreceives the sleep mode transition request from the peripheral device;and control means for releasing the sleep mode and returning to a dataprocessing wait status when said reception means receives the sleeprelease request, wherein said proxy response server comprises:registration means for receiving and registering a sleep transitionrequest announced from a peripheral device in the network when theperipheral device changes from a normal data processing wait status to asleep mode; discovery means for retrieving a peripheral device in asleep status depending on a network packet indicating a specificperipheral device discovery request for discovery of a sleepingperipheral device issued from any client device connected to the networkafter registration by said registration means; and notification meansfor notifying a sleeping peripheral device whose sleep release requesthas been registered for release of a sleep mode to a peripheral deviceretrieved by said discovery means, and wherein said client devicecomprises: issue means for issuing a network packet indicating aspecific peripheral device discovery request for discovery of aperipheral device during transition to sleep status based on a responseresult from a network for a request to retrieve a peripheral device in anormal status; reception means for receiving a return response from anyperipheral device notified of a sleep release request by said serverdevice after the peripheral device discovery request has issued by saidissue means; and data processing means for transmitting a predetermineddata processing request to a specific peripheral device whose sleep modehas been released after said reception means has received the returnresponse.
 14. The network device system according to claim 13, whereinthe network packet which is the peripheral device discovery request is asearch request packet for a multicast address set as a predeterminednetwork address for a plurality of peripheral devices.
 15. The networkdevice system according to claim 13, wherein the multicast address is auniquely determined address, and can be determined based on a peripheraldevice environment, and wherein a multicast address for a peripheraldevice discovery request in a sleep status;can be different from amulticast address of a peripheral device discovery request in a normalstatus.
 16. The network device system according to claim 14, wherein thesearch request packet includes a StandbyQuery instruction indicating adiscovery request to a sleeping device.
 17. A device retrieving methodfor use with a peripheral device which can communicate with a pluralityof client devices connected to a network, comprising: a notifying stepof notifying a proxy response server connectable to the network of asleep mode transition request when the peripheral device changes from anormal data processing wait status to a sleep mode; a receiving step ofreceiving a sleep release request from the proxy response server basedon a network packet indicating a restriction means for a peripheraldevice which is changing to a predetermined sleep mode issued by anyclient device connected to the network after the proxy response serverreceives the sleep mode transition request from the peripheral device;and control step of releasing the sleep mode and returning to a dataprocessing wait status when said receiving step receives the sleeprelease request.
 18. A device retrieving method for use with a serverdevice proxy for a peripheral device which can communicate with aplurality of client devices connected to a network, comprising: aregistration step of receiving and registering a network packetindicating a sleep transition request announced from a peripheral devicein the network when the peripheral device changes from a normal dataprocessing wait status to a sleep mode; a retrieving step of retrievinga peripheral device in a sleep status depending on a network packetindicating a specific peripheral device discovery request for discoveryof a sleeping peripheral device issued from any client device connectedto the network after registration in said registering step; and anotifying step of notifying a sleeping peripheral device whose sleeprelease request has been registered for release of a sleep mode to aperipheral device retrieved in said retrieving step.
 19. A deviceretrieving method for use with client device which can communicate witha plurality of peripheral devices or server devices connected over anetwork, comprising: a issuing step of issuing a network packetindicating a specific peripheral device discovery request for discoveryof a peripheral device during transition to sleep status based on aresponse result from a network for a request to retrieve a peripheraldevice in a normal status; a receiving step of receiving a returnresponse from any peripheral device notified of a sleep release requestby said server device after the peripheral device discovery request hasissued in said issuing step; and a data processing step of transmittinga predetermined data processing request to a specific peripheral devicewhose sleep mode has been released after said receiving step hasreceived the return response.
 20. A device retrieving method for usewith a network device system in which a plurality of peripheral devicesconnected over a network can communicate with a plurality of clientdevices capable of recognizing a connection status of a peripheraldevice in a data processing wait status in the network, wherein in saidperipheral device, said method comprises: a notifying step of notifyinga proxy response server connectable to the network of a network packetindicating a sleep mode transition request when the peripheral devicechanges from a normal data processing wait status to a sleep mode; areceiving step of receiving a sleep release request from the proxyresponse server based on a peripheral device discovery request for aperipheral device which is changing to a predetermined sleep mode issuedby any client device connected to the network after the proxy responseserver receives the sleep mode transition request from the peripheraldevice; and a control step of releasing the sleep mode and returning toa data processing wait status when said receiving step receives thesleep release request, wherein in said proxy response server, saidmethod comprises: a registering step of receiving and registering asleep transition request announced from a peripheral device in thenetwork when the peripheral device changes from a normal data processingwait status to a sleep mode; a retrieving step of retrieving aperipheral device in a sleep status depending on a network packetindicating a specific peripheral device discovery request for discoveryof a sleeping peripheral device issued from any client device connectedto the network after registration in said registering step; and anotifying step of notifying a sleeping peripheral device whose sleeprelease request has been registered for release of a sleep mode to aperipheral device retrieved in said retrieving step, and wherein in saidclient device, said method comprises: an issuing step of issuing anetwork packet indicating a specific peripheral device discovery requestfor discovery of a peripheral device during transition to sleep statusbased on a response result from a network for a request to retrieve aperipheral device in a normal status; a receiving step of receiving areturn response from any peripheral device notified of a sleep releaserequest by said server device after the peripheral device discoveryrequest has issued in said issuing step; and a data processing step oftransmitting a predetermined data processing request to a specificperipheral device whose sleep mode has been released after saidreception means has received the return response.
 21. The peripheraldevice according to claim 1, wherein said sleep mode refers to a mode towhich power is not supplied to a status management unit of a printercontroller from which a LAN controller can receive a status.